The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has issued a detailed weather forecast predicting widespread rainfall and thunderstorms across various regions of the country from March 24 through March 30. This weather activity is primarily attributed to an approaching western disturbance expected to impact southwestern Balochistan initially, before intensifying and affecting multiple provinces over the coming week.
the PMD’s announcement, the western disturbance will begin to influence the southwestern parts of Balochistan by the evening or night of March 24. The system is expected to strengthen significantly from the night of March 27 and persist until March 31, bringing intermittent rain and thunderstorms to a broad swath of the province. Areas such as Panjgur, Turbat, Kech, Awaran, and the Makran Coast—including Gwadar, Pasni, and Ormara—are forecast to experience rain accompanied by gusty winds and isolated hailstorms. Other districts like Lasbela, Khuzdar, Kharan, Chaghi, Dalbandin, Kalat, Sibi, Kohlu, Barkhan, Naseerabad, Quetta, Loralai, Ziarat, Chaman, Pishin, Qila Abdullah, Qila Saifullah, Noshki, Harnai, Zhob, Mastung, and Kalat will also be affected during this period, with rainfall expected from the evening of March 24 through the night of March 25, and again from the night of March 27 to the morning of March 29, albeit with occasional breaks.
Moving towards Punjab, the PMD forecasts rain and thunderstorms with isolated hailstorms in numerous districts including Rawalpindi, Attock, Chakwal, Jhelum, Sargodha, Mianwali, Faisalabad, Jhang, Toba Tek Singh, Khushab, Noorpurthal, Gujrat, Gujranwala, Hafizabad, Mandi Bahauddin, Sialkot, Narowal, Lahore, Pakpattan, Okara, Kasur, Dera Ghazi Khan, Rajanpur, Bhakkar, Layyah, Multan, Kot Addu, Bahawalpur, Sahiwal, Bahawalnagar, and Rahim Yar Khan. These weather conditions are expected from March 25 to the morning of March 26 and will resume from the evening of March 28 through March 30, again with intermittent pauses. The same weather pattern is predicted for the hilly areas of Murree and Galiyat, as well as the federal capital Islamabad, where residents should prepare for wet and stormy conditions.
In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the forecast indicates rain and thunderstorms with occasional heavy downpours across a wide range of districts including Chitral, Dir, Swat, Kalam, Shangla, Buner, Kohistan, Malakand, Battagram, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Balakot, Haripur, Mardan, Nowshera, Peshawar, Kurram, Swabi, Charsadda, Kohat, Hangu, Karak, Bannu, Lakki Marwat, Tank, Bajaur, Mohmand, Khyber, Orakzai, Dera Ismail Khan, and Waziristan. These conditions will prevail from the evening of March 25 through the morning of March 26, with a more widespread spell of rain and thunderstorms, including isolated heavy showers over the hilly terrain, expected from March 28 to March 30. Hailstorms may also occur sporadically during this timeframe, adding to the potential hazards.
Meanwhile, Sindh province is not exempt from this weather activity. Rainfall with isolated hailstorms is anticipated in Thatta, Badin, Hyderabad, Sukkur, Dadu, Kashmore, Jacobabad, Larkana, and Karachi on March 25 and 26, as well as from March 28 to 29. These showers are expected to be intermittent but may cause localized disruptions. Similarly, in the northern territories of Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu & Kashmir, rain and thunderstorms are forecast in Diamer, Astore, Ghizer, Skardu, Hunza, Gilgit, Ghanche, Shigar, Neelum Valley, Muzaffarabad, Poonch, Hattian, Bagh, Haveli, Sudhanoti, Kotli, Bhimber, and Mirpur from the evening of March 25 through March 26 and again from March 28 to March 30. Isolated hailstorms and heavy rainfall are also likely in Kashmir during this period, which could impact daily life and travel plans.
It is important to highlight that the PMD has issued warnings about potential flash floods, particularly in Balochistan from March 25 to 28, as heavy rains may cause sudden water surges in vulnerable areas. Similarly, local streams and nullahs in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are expected to swell from March 28 to 30, raising the risk of flash flooding in low-lying and flood-prone regions. The department has also cautioned farmers in Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Sindh about the possibility of windstorms and hailstorms damaging standing crops, urging them to take necessary precautions to safeguard their agricultural produce in light of the forecasted adverse weather conditions.
As the country braces for this spell of unsettled weather, residents across the affected regions are advised to stay updated with the latest forecasts and take appropriate safety measures. The coming week’s weather will not only bring much-needed rainfall to some areas but also pose challenges such as flash floods and crop damage, underscoring the need for vigilance and preparedness.
